May 23, 2001
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -
Two California Golden Bears were named to the 2001 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA)/Louisville Slugger All-American team that was announced this evening at the annual Women's College World Series banquet in Oklahoma City, Okla. Sophomore first baseman Veronica Nelson was awarded first-team at-larger (first base) honors while junior pitcher Jocelyn Forest was named to the second team.
Nelson, who was also awarded first-team All-Pac-10 and second-team All-Pacific Region, leads the Bears in many offensive categories - batting average (.352), RBI (50), home runs (18) and slugging percentage (.772). In addition to her offensive prowess, Nelson also broke her own NCAA single-season walk record last Sunday versus the Florida State Seminoles in the regional championship, when she drew a walk for the 88th time, breaking her old record of 87 in 2000. Nelson is the first Cal player since Gillian Boxx (1992-1995) and Michele Granger (1989-1993) earned first-team honors in 1993.
Forest, who was also named to the first-team All-Pac-10 and second-team All-Pacific Region, led the Cal pitching staff with a 27-8 record, 0.72 ERA and a conference-best 350 strikeouts. Her ERA is the lowest of any Bear pitcher since Granger recorded a 0.50 ERA in 1993.
Cal, the eighth seed in the WCWS, begins play tomorrow, May 24, at 8 a.m. PDT, when it takes on the top-seeded Arizona Wildcats. The game will be televised live on ESPN2.
Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I First Team All-Americans
Pitcher - Jennie Finch Arizona Jr. La Mirada, CA
Pitcher - Britni Sneed LSU Jr. Houston, TX
Pitcher - Dana Sorensen Stanford Soph. San Diego, CA
Catcher - Stacey Nuveman UCLA Jr. La Verne, CA
First Base - Sarah Beeson Stanford Jr. Tucson, AZ
Second Base - Kelsey Kollen Michigan Jr. Cerritos, CA
Third Base - Toni Mascarenas Arizona Sr Gardeen Grove, CA
Shortstop - Natasha Watley UCLA Soph. Irvine, CA
Outfield - Kelly Kretschman Alabama Sr. Indian Harbour, FL
Outfield - Oli Keohohou, Brigham Young Fr. Newbeury Park, CA
Outfield - Lauren Bauer Arizona Sr. Santa Ana, CA
Utility - Kellie Wilkerson Mississippi St. Jr. Jacksonville, FL
Des. Player - Leneah Manuma Arizona Fr. San Diego, CA
At-Large (SS) - Kelli Braitsch Oklahoma Soph. Broken Arrow, OK
At-Large (P) - Kristi Hanks Iowa Jr. Santa Fe, TX
At-Large (OF) - Jessica Mendoza Stanford Jr. Camarillo,
At-Large (1B) - Veronica Nelson California Soph. Oakland, CA
At-Large (C) - Jenny Topping Cal State Fullerton Soph. Whittier, CA
Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I Second Team All-Americans
Pitcher - Jocelyn Forest California Jr. Santa Maria, CA
Pitcher - Shelley Laird Alabama Jr Spring, TX
Pitcher - Nicole Myers Florida Atlantic Jr. St. Petersburg, FL
Catcher - Ashli Barrett Oklahoma Sr. Oklahoma City, OK
First Base - Lisa Carey Oklahoma Sr. Topeka, KS
Second Base - Keisha Shepperson East Carolina Sr. Richmond, VA
Third Base - Tairia Mims UCLA Soph. Tucson, AZ
Shortstop - Alana Addison La.-Lafayette Jr. Gonzales, LA)
Outfield - Sara Carlson Villanova Soph. Langley, BC, Canada
Outfield - Jackie McClain Alabama Fr. Soddy Daisy, TN
Outfield - Melissa Michigan Sr. Petersburg, MI
Utility - Sarah Martz DePaul Fr. Lanark, IL
Des. Player - Kristin Dennis Virginia Jr. Encinitas, CA
At-Large (UT) - Amanda Freed UCLA Jr. Cypress, CA
At-Large (OF) - Ashley Moore Auburn Jr. Birmingham, AL
At-Large (P) - Amanda Renfro Texas Tech Sr. Houston, TX
At-Large (P) - Kristin Schmidt Notre Dame Fr. Houston, TX
At-Large (OF) - Karen Williams Missouri Sr. Gaylord, MI)
Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I Third Team All-Americans
Pitcher - Tia Bollinger Washington Fr. Santa Ana, CA
Pitcher - Jessica Chase SW Texas State Jr. West Palm Beach, FL
Pitcher - Leslie Malerich Florida State Jr. Marriville, IN
Catcher - Stefanie Christoferson Illinois-Chicago Sr. Santa Barbara, CA
First Base - Alicia Gerlach Iowa Jr. East Moline, IL
Second Base - Suzanne Olcott Alabama Jr. Birmingham, AL
Third Base - Becky McMurtry Illinois State Soph. North Platte, NE
Shortstop - Jaime Clark Washington Soph. Tustin, CA
Outfield - Deanna Dovak Rider Jr. Oakdale, NY
Outfield - Kelly Hauxhurst Washington Sr. Westminster, CA
Outfield - Jenny Kriech Notre Dame Jr. Indianapolis, IN
Utility - Erin Stremsterfer Southern Illinois Sr. Manchester, MO
Des. Player - Melanie Fisher Missouri Soph. St. Louis, MO
At-Large (P) - Cindy Ball Pacific Jr. Camarillo,
At-Large (OF) - Nicole Giordano Arizona Sr. Saugus, CA
At-Large (C) - Jarrah Myers Notre Dame Jr. Carbondale, KS
At-Large (SS)- Marci Ridenbaugh Kent State Fr. Canton, OH
At-Large (P) - Jennifer Sharron Notre Dame Sr. Agoura Hills, CA
At-large (P) - Jennifer Stewart Oklahoma Jr. Yukon, OK
